The world is full of people whose notion of a satisfactory future

"The world is full of people whose notion of a satisfactory future is, in fact, a return to the idealised past." These words by Robertson Davies reflect a timeless truth about the human condition—our tendency to idealize the past and to seek a future that mirrors what we believe were the golden days of yore. The yearning to return to a simpler, better time often blurs our vision of the future, making us feel as if progress should be a recovery of what was, rather than an advancement into what could be. It is an inherent part of human nature to be nostalgic for a time when life seemed more certain, more pure, and less complicated, but such longing can blind us to the possibilities of growth, innovation, and evolution that the future offers.

In the ancient world, this tension between the present, the future, and the past was acknowledged by philosophers like Plato and Aristotle. Plato believed that the past, with its timeless ideals, was something to be remembered and respected, but that the true purpose of philosophy was to guide people toward a better and more just future. He was wary of nostalgia because it could trap the soul in a cycle of reflection, preventing people from advancing toward the ideal society he envisioned. Aristotle, too, recognized that human progress lay in the pursuit of virtue and knowledge, not in clinging to old ways, but in transforming them into something greater. Both philosophers understood that the ideal future could not be achieved by simply returning to the past, but by using the wisdom of the past to build something new.

Consider the rise and fall of great empires, like that of Rome. The Roman Empire at its peak was an awe-inspiring model of military might, civic infrastructure, and cultural achievement. Yet, after its decline, many in the Western world looked to Rome’s past as the ideal model for how civilization should be structured. The Renaissance, a period of great cultural rebirth in Europe, was in part a return to the study of ancient Greek and Roman texts, with the idea that through the emulation of the past, Europe could restore its former glory. Yet, as history shows, the future could not simply be a mimicry of the past. The Renaissance was not about recreating the Roman Empire—it was about taking the knowledge from the past and building something greater, transforming and advancing human thought, art, and science.

The lesson that Davies offers, through his exploration of the idea of nostalgia, is a powerful reminder to recognize that while the past can inform us, it should not constrain us. The present moment, with all its uncertainties and imperfections, offers the opportunity to forge a future that incorporates the wisdom of the past but looks forward toward new horizons. Take Thomas Edison, for example, whose inventions—from the lightbulb to the phonograph—were inspired by a desire to improve on the limitations of what had come before. Edison didn’t yearn to return to an idealized time; he sought to create a new world, one that would transform the lives of millions. His example teaches us that true innovation comes from looking forward, not backward.

Consider also the American Revolution, where figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin were not trying to recreate the British monarchy or a return to colonial rule; they were breaking from the past to build a new vision for a society based on freedom, democracy, and equality. The founders of the United States embraced the wisdom of classical republicanism, but they didn’t cling to it as a model—they evolved it to fit the changing needs of their time. Their courage in forging a new path, rather than seeking to return to the old, shows us that progress requires a willingness to leave the past behind, to embrace change, and to shape a better future.

The danger of holding too tightly to an idealized past is that it can restrict growth and prevent the development of new ideas, ways of living, and systems of governance. Davies' insight urges us to recognize that the future does not need to be an imitation of what once was, but rather a reclamation and redefinition of the best elements of the past, combined with the boldness of new visions and innovations. Humankind’s progress does not lie in the reassembly of what is lost, but in the creative transformation of what is learned.

The practical lesson we can take from Robertson Davies' quote is to embrace the future not with a desire to return to what has passed, but with a spirit of reinvention. Whether in our personal lives, careers, or societies, we must not let the beauty of nostalgia blind us to the opportunities that lie ahead. Let the wisdom of the past inform us, but let us build on it, rather than trying to recreate it. In our own lives, this means taking action in the present, not looking back at past mistakes or imagined glories, but striving to create a future that reflects our values, innovations, and dreams.

So, let us look forward with courage, embracing the unknown and shaping a world not constrained by the past, but inspired by it. As we forge ahead, let us recognize that true progress comes from the courage to transform, to create, and to innovate, moving beyond nostalgia to shape a future that is ours to define.